Honoring Hoops Heroes
Clay County Basketball Museum
BRISTOL RACETRACK
RUNNING RABBIT
Rural Connections
By Shirley Bloomfield, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Professionally
Secure
NTCA members are committed to your safety
As we enter the holiday season, it is an opportunity to acknowledge a group of professionals you may not realize is working diligently behind the scenes to make this season—as well as every month of the year—enjoyable and safe.
Many of you stream movies, music, short videos or interactive games, and there’s always online shopping. NTCA members provide rural communities with the networks vital for all of this and so much more, from banking to education, telehealth and beyond.
Unfortunately, online risks do exist. Scammers may try to capture your personal information, or malicious websites might lead to insecure transactions. There are even attempts to disrupt the infrastructure itself.
Monitoring threats and vigilantly updating everything from software to security strategies is central to the day-today job of rural broadband providers. To help with this, NTCA created CyberShare: The Small Broadband Provider ISAC, an information-sharing network that allows participating providers to collaborate and share critical information. Whether it’s learning about vulnerable equipment, software exploits, recent cyberattack attempts or mitigation strategies, this information sharing helps members proactively strengthen their defenses to keep you and your family safe online.
You play a role, too. When you’re shopping online, make smart choices, such as relying on websites with addresses that begin with https, shop on well-established sites and lean on strong, secure passwords. Together we can enjoy happy, safe holidays.
Use Caution With Cash Apps
While mobile payment apps like PayPal or Venmo make it easy to send and receive money online or through an app on a phone, scammers are also waiting to take advantage.
This service becomes an intermediary between your money and whoever is on the other end of a transaction, which can create an added layer of security.
But if a scammer tricks you into sending money, it’s hard to get it back. The Federal Trade Commission notes the risks and offers tips for staying safe.
• Don’t send a payment to claim a prize or collect sweepstakes winnings.
• Never give your account credentials to anyone who contacts you.
• Protect your account with multifactor authentication or a personal identification number.
• Before paying, double-check the recipient’s information to make sure you’re sending money to the right person.
• If you get an unexpected request for money from someone you do recognize, speak with that person directly to make sure the request really is valid, not a scam by a hacker who got access to their account.
If you find unauthorized payments or think you paid a scammer, immediately report the transaction to the service providing the payment app. Instructions should be available on the service’s website. Also, report the scam to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Outside the Box
Personalized presents extend gift-giving beyond holidays
Looking for that gift that keeps on giving long after they’ve tossed the wrapping paper and bows? With a little online exploration, a nontraditional gift is out there for just about everyone on your list.
GAMING SUBSCRIPTIONS
Just like movie and music services, game subscriptions offer unlimited access to huge catalogs of titles for players who would rather not put up the $70-$80 average price for each individual game. Paying a part of the most popular subscriptions—Xbox Game Pass at $9.99-$19.99 per month, PlayStation Plus at $17.99 or Apple Arcade at $6.99—is a great way to show your gamers some love.
WATCH ’EM PLAY
Video game streaming involves broadcasting live gameplay over the internet, allowing viewers to engage with and watch other players in real time. Like livestreaming on Facebook and TikTok, game streamers provide content for viewers worldwide, playing video games and offering commentary.
Twitch is by far the most popular service, with more than 240 million monthly subscribers who play, watch, create content and follow other gamers. Three subscription tiers with different levels of perks range from $4.99 to $24.99 per month. Steam is also huge. Discord, Kick, Caffeine and DLive are other popular choices for gifting your interactive gamers, just confirm the platform they prefer so you’re sure to get them a gift they can use.
‘OF THE MONTH’ CLUBS
With a quick internet search, you can set
up a monthly delivery of everything from pickles to pet chews to bath gels, bacon and beyond. Look at sites like Amazing Clubs or Month Club Store to find multiple choices in one spot.
A monthly themed box or crate can satisfy all ages, from educational toys at Crunchlabs and a monthly Lego set through Brick Loot to a spa-in-a-box from Therabox. Visit Cratejoy for a wide selection.
Consider a gift subscription to Dear Holmes, which mails weekly clues on fancy stationery for solving a Victorian-era crime. For $50, six months’ worth of mysteries will turn your person into a solo Sherlock or the leader of a team of Watsons who share stories on YouTube.
GIFT CARDS
You’ve no doubt noticed the columns of gift cards at your supermarket or drugstore. They look like colorful credit cards, and that’s exactly what they are. These pieces of plastic can be applied toward almost anything from cash to food delivery services. The easiest way to give something everyone wants and by far the simplest to ship, gift cards are expected to generate $447.1 billion in revenue this year.
You can grab gift cards toward recurring subscriptions, like a movie or music streaming service. You’re sure to earn points by gifting a part of the monthly Netflix or Hulu charges. Or find a Spotify, Apple Music or SiriusXM gift card and keep the happy tunes flowing all year.
GIFT CARD SMARTS
Stick to stores you know and trust. Avoid buying online where shady sellers may promote fake or stolen gift cards.
Avoid cards with signs of tampering.
Pay with a credit card if possible. If you run into problems and have to file a chargeback, your credit card company will investigate.
Consider using the gift card quickly to avoid potential inactivity fees or issues like business closure.
Keep copies. If the gift card doesn’t work, the number on the card and store receipt will help you file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Happy Holidays!
Let’s thrive and celebrate together
The final two months of 2025 will bring turkey dinners, bright lights, festive gatherings and so much more. I always enjoy this time of year, when shared values and community spirit tie us together. At Peoples, we’re happy to play our part, too.
KEITH GABBARD Chief Executive Officer
We proudly support the local businesses that make our economy strong during this busiest of shopping seasons. Generosity and gift-giving fuel much of that success for businesses of all sizes.
For some companies, the gains made from Black Friday and similar sales events are the difference between a profitable year and lean results.
By providing quality communications services, we strive to help them connect not only to you but also to the tools, resources and online shoppers that create success. A study last year supported in part by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association found rural counties with strong broadband usage grew at a rate 200% higher than similar counties with low broadband usage. Simply put, in places lacking reliable internet, businesses close at a faster rate.
At Peoples, though, we don’t need national studies to tell us how we’re doing. We talk to the local business owners to better serve them. We lend a hand when a new company opens. And we know our fast, reliable internet network is considered essential infrastructure for many employers looking for a location.
But shopping and income are only two parts of the equation during the holiday season. There’s time for pure fun, too. Though many people do find plenty of enjoyment in shopping, many families will turn to their broadband connection to unlock a treasure trove of digital experiences.
Music, movies, gaming, social media and far more are a few clicks away. You’ll even find an article in this magazine noting several possible digital gifts, perfect for the times when you need a creative solution.
As we give thanks during this holiday season, however, it’s important to remember more than fun and opportunity. That’s the other side of our mission. Yes, we focus on providing essential services, but we also believe in giving back, both as a company and as individuals.
Not everyone’s fortunes are equal. It’s often particularly trying during the holidays. If you can help, consider contributing monetarily to a charity, finding a few spare hours to volunteer or donating food or other goods.
Please visit area shops. Check out a local artist. Find a one-of-a-kind gift from an equally unique business. If you’re able, help as you can. Also, through Dec. 31, Peoples will match the donations made by our customers to the local food bank of their choice. Together, we make this community a wonderful home where we can all thrive.
Thank you for letting Peoples serve you. Have a happy Thanksgiving and a very merry Christmas.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025
The PRTC Connection is published by Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, ©2025. It is distributed without charge to all members of the cooperative.
is your member-owned cooperative serving Jackson and Owsley counties in East Kentucky. The cooperative is dedicated to using technology to keep its members connected through high-speed broadband internet, digital and HD television, wireless 4G phone service, local and long-distance calling and beyond.
Send address corrections to:
Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative P.O. Box 159 McKee, KY 40447
606-287-7101 • 606-593-5000 prtcnet.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD
Kendall Norris
President
Wendell Gabbard
Kendall Gabbard
Vice President
James Gary Cornett
James Cornett
Secretary
Nelson Bobrowski
Treasurer
Donald Barrett
Armel Davidson
Pat Henderson
Henderson your member-owned cooperative serving Jackson and Owsley counties in East Kentucky. The cooperative is dedicated to using technology to keep its members connected through highbroadband internet, digital and HD television, wireless 4G phone service, local and long-distance calling and beyond.
Produced for PRTC by:
On the Cover:
Clay County High School is home to Kentucky’s only school-based basketball museum. See story Page 8.
Photo courtesy of Darrin Spencer, with the 13th Region Media Network
READY FOR SOME B-BALL?
Get ready, Jackson County! The 2025 PRTC Basketball Classic is bringing the state’s top high school talent to our community. PRTC is proud to sponsor this premier event, a tournament known for showcasing future stars and generating plenty of hoops excitement.
Attendees will not only witness incredible basketball, they’ll also be supporting the community. Concession sales directly fund extracurricular activities, making every purchase a slam dunk for local students.
Don’t miss a minute of the action! Come out for two unforgettable days of highoctane basketball at Jackson County High School on Dec. 5-6. The schedule features electrifying matchups you won’t want to miss. For the latest information, make sure to follow the PRTC-Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative Facebook page.
A TIME FOR GIVING
PRTC will match your donation when you make a monetary contribution to the local food bank of your choice through Dec. 31 at a PRTC office. Participating food banks are Hands & Feet Ministries, Jackson County Food Bank, New Zion Food Pantry, Owsley County Food Pantry, Royal Oak Baptist Church Food Pantry and Sand Gap Christian Church Food Bank.
HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSINGS
To allow our employees time to celebrate the holidays with their families, PRTC offices will be closed on the following dates:
Thanksgiving—Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28
Christmas—Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26
New Year’s Day—Thursday, Jan. 1
Speedway In Lights
Bristol gears up for Christmas festivities
by KATHY DENES
Ready to take a lap around the “The World’s Fastest HalfMile” illuminated by 3 million Christmas lights? For the 29th year, Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway is inviting the public to come celebrate the season.
The route of the 4-mile-long Food City Speedway In Lights powered by TVA starts at Bristol Dragway, entered off Highway 394. About midway through, drivers enter the iconic “Last Great Colosseum” and circle its half-mile concrete oval. After taking that memorable lap, guests can park inside the track and treat the family to the Christmas Village, presented by HSN.
The Christmas Village, adorned in holiday decor, includes Santa’s Hut, where kids get the chance to meet the jolliest old elf. There are also carnival rides, vendors offering Christmas crafts and treats, a tubing slide and a snow maze.
After enjoying all the village has to offer, guests will get back in their vehicles and continue the drive, which concludes at the Dragway entrance.
ICE, ICE, BABY!
Finishing the drive doesn’t have to mean it’s time to leave the speedway, though. Adding to the holiday sparkle is the Tri-Cities Airport Ice Rink at Bristol
Motor Speedway, presented by Stateline Services and touted as the region’s best and longest-standing ice rink Visitors can enjoy skating daily from Thursday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 Admission is $12 for guests who bring their own skates or $15 for those who need to rent them.
The 120-by-60-foot ice rink is covered by a tent at the speedway’s North Entrance. Promotional nights and special events are offered, such as College Nights at the Ice Rink. On Tuesdays, students who present their valid college IDs at the ticket booth will get a free skate rental.
A LIGHT FOR CHILDREN
Proceeds from the Speedway In Lights and affiliated events benefit Bristol Speedway Children’s Charities, which funds agencies that have helped thousands of children. The charity was founded in 1996 when Bristol Speedway became part of Speedway Motorsports, which has a Speedway Children’s Charities chapter at each of its 11 racing venues.
quickly got the green light from track owner Bruton Smith. To date, thanks to the Christmas event and others throughout the year, the charity has distributed nearly $20 million.
“Speedway In Lights is not only the flagship fundraiser for Speedway Children’s Charities but a tradition for so many in the Tri-Cities region,” says Betsy Holleman, the charity’s senior manager for development and events. “The event has accounted for a third of our annual budget for over 25 years. It’s an opportunity to bring family out for an evening of Christmas fun, while supporting kids in our area.”
FAST FACTS
Speedway In Lights begins on Friday, Nov. 21, and continues daily from 6-10 p.m. into the new year, concluding on Saturday, Jan. 3
Claudia Byrd, the executive director of the Bristol chapter, was charged with coming up with a signature fundraising event. Inspired by her family’s tradition of enjoying holiday light displays in her hometown, Claudia suggested the speedway present a Christmas lights show. It
Prices for cars range between $25-$35. Vans are $85, and buses are $150. Visitors can take advantage of Fast Lane presented by Citi, a speedy $75 option that provides a shorter wait time on select nights when traffic lines get long.
For details about Fast Lane presented by Citi and all other Speedway In Lights event and pricing updates, go to bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Story
ABOVE: The display of Speedway In Lights sponsor Food City brightens up a section of the route.
LEFT: Skaters enjoy the covered ice rink outside Bristol Motor Speedway.
Photos courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway
HOMETOWN HOOPS HEROES
Legends Hall honors basketball greats basketball
Story by JEN CALHOUN
Clay County High School is now home to Kentucky’s only school-based basketball museum, celebrating the county’s incredible connection to the sport that’s brought the community together.
Legends Hall opened last December as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project that transformed the school’s gym,
auditorium and outdoor sports fields. What began as a practical solution to the need for new restrooms and concession stands ended up becoming something much bigger and more significant, says CCHS Athletic Director Tommy Nicholson.
“So, while we were talking about remodeling the gym and all the other things, we came up with the idea to build a kind of addition to the gym that would be separate from the school,” Nicholson says.
“This was a logistical thing and a safety thing that could keep traffic out of the school during ballgames.”
But when the architects came back with the design, school officials realized there was a good amount of extra square footage. Ultimately, they came up with the idea for Legends Hall, a basketball museum focusing on the history and impact of the sport in the county dating back as far as the 1920s.
The museum was professionally designed by Kraemer Design + Production, a Cincinnati-based firm that specializes in custom visitor attractions and entertainment projects.
With the help of Mike and LaBerta White, from the Clay County Historical Society, Clay County School Board Chairman Mark Hoskins and Superintendent William Sexton, the museum project launched. A group of enthusiasts spent more than a year collecting artifacts and meeting with former players and coaches to gather the information displayed in the museum, Hoskins told the 13th Region Media Network at last year’s dedication ceremony. “Hundreds of hours of research and archival searches culminated in numerous stories that are now part of our museum,” Hoskins said.
BOBBY KEITH
Clay County has a population of fewer than 20,000 people, but its basketball heritage is bigger than life. CCHS is the only school in the state with more than 2,000 boys basketball team wins and more than 1,000 wins by its girls teams, according to Hoskins.
And while some of the museum’s exhibits reach as far back as 100 years, its most prominent piece is a 15-foot statue of a legendary Clay County basketball coach, the late Bobby Keith.
Called “an absolute basketball genius” by Lexington Herald-Leader sportswriter
Mike Fields, Keith led the Clay County Tigers for 27 seasons, guiding them to 18 region titles. With 767 career victories, Keith is listed in the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame as the fifth-winningest coach in a state known for its power in the sport. He died in 2016 at the age of 75.
Keith and his teams often talked about luck, Fields wrote in an article published in 1988 at the height of Clay County’s success. Their pregame rituals included putting their heads together in a huddle and even petting Keith’s black cat, Midnight. The coach often wore lucky sportscoats, too.
But when it came down to it, Keith was not a superstitious person, Fields wrote. “In fact, there is probably no coach who leaves less to chance than he does,” he says in the article.
FULL-COURT PRESS
During last year’s opening ceremony for the museum, Sexton said the importance of the sport to the community could not be overstated. “Basketball has played an integral part in shaping our culture and our social landscape here in Clay County,” he said during his speech. “It’s not just a sport here. It’s also a community unifier and a sense of pride.”
The museum chronicles this tradition with more than 400 pieces of memorabilia. Visitors can explore displays organized by decade, each telling the story of a different team. Legends Hall pays special tribute to the coaches who built the county’s basketball dynasty.
Dedicated sections honor coach Spider Thurman, who is credited with establishing basketball as a cornerstone of Clay County culture in the 1950s, and the late coach Donnie Gray.
Gray led the Lady Tigers to 505 wins in 21 years, including a 1989 state championship title. The coach died in January 2025, little more than a month after the ceremony naming the gym floor in his honor.
The crown jewel of the collection, however, focuses on the great Bobby Keith years of 1987 and 1988, when the boys basketball team achieved the seemingly impossible.
“In 1987, we didn’t have a player any taller than 6-foot-2,” Nicholson says. “But they went down and won the state tournament. It was kind of a David-meetsGoliath type thing.”
‘LABOR OF LOVE’
The primary goal of the museum’s creators was to tell the basketball story of Clay County High School, “the school with the greatest tradition in the state of Kentucky,” Mike White says.
But the group also wanted to make sure the museum would be something that met the highest standards of preservation and presentation. They wanted it to be an attraction for basketball fans from all over, White said during the opening ceremony. “It’s been a labor of love.”
Between the time it opened on Dec. 1, 2024, and Aug. 1 of this year, the museum welcomed more than 5,000 visitors, Nicholson says. And while basketball may be at the heart of Legends Hall, it’s not the only thing the museum has going for it.
The space serves multiple community functions, including hosting board meetings, tournament gatherings and planning sessions. “I’m trying to utilize it and get it out there as much as I can,” Nicholson says.
The museum is the only one of its kind in a Kentucky high school, and more than 5,000 people visited in the first nine months it was open.
Photos courtesy of Darrin Spencer, with the 13th
WANT TO HELP?
Pets for Vets is a four-star rated, not-for-profit organization that relies on donations to provide free services to veterans. There are several ways to donate.
Donate online: Visit petsforvets.com/donate to make a secure online donation.
Donate by mail: Pets for Vets Inc., P.O. Box 10860, Wilmington, NC 28404.
Healing Bonds
Pets for Vets makes the perfect match
Story by JEN CALHOUN
When Clarissa Black first took Bear, her huskymalamute, to visit patients at a Veterans Administration medical center, she had no idea he was about to change hundreds of lives.
Of course, she knew Bear was special. He had a way about him. When someone needed quiet company, Bear could lie perfectly still for hours. If someone was working on mobility, Bear would position himself at the perfect distance, paws up, as if to offer encouragement. And when people looked into the dog’s eyes and spoke to him, he’d cock his head and let out one of his husky “woos” right on cue.
“People really felt like he was talking to them,” says Clarissa, whose background in animal science and anthrozoology gave her a deeper insight into the interactions.
“They felt seen, and they felt heard.”
Clarissa’s experience with Bear at the VA hospital sparked the idea for Pets for Vets, a nonprofit organization that matches veterans with specially trained companion animals. Since she founded it more than 15 years ago, the organization has matched more than 800 animals with veterans.
Other ways to give: The organization also accepts cryptocurrency and vehicle donations that include cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles.
Volunteer: Fill out the volunteer form at petsforvets.com to offer your time and expertise.
For more information about the program, or to apply for a companion animal, visit petsforvets.com or send an email to contactus@petsforvets.com.
SECOND CHANCES
After Leif Mesinger returned home from Iraq, the world felt different. It was harder to navigate and harder to understand. The Army infantryman and gunner suffered a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device blast, and it changed everything.
“My mind was racing, and I struggled to communicate,” Leif says in a Pets for Vets testimonial video. “I felt disconnected from everything I used to know.”
But help arrived in the form of a tiny, hairless waif of a dog named Spyder. Clarissa Black, founder of Pets for Vets, discovered the dog after meeting with Leif and finding out what he needed in a companion animal.
Spyder’s superpower was that he loved to jump into people’s laps and lick them. It was a trait Clarissa intentionally honed in Spyder before presenting him to Leif. She knew that kind of gentle, rhythmic contact could ground a person dealing with anxiety.
In time, Spyder’s constant presence gave Leif a growing sense of purpose and a deepening bond. Thanks to his more than 15 years with Spyder, Leif’s communication with others has improved and his life is more fulfilling than ever. “Spyder was kind of like that saving grace that centered me again and brought me back,” he says.
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED
The program generally serves veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, but the organization is open to helping any vet who could benefit from a deep connection with a pet. And while the service is completely free to the veterans, it relies on donations from the public and a network of more than 100 volunteer animal trainers across the country.
It’s important to note that Pets for Vets animals aren’t service dogs that have been highly trained to assist people with disabilities. Still, the organization works hard to meet the veterans’ needs as well as the animals’.
“We’re not just asking what the dog gives the veteran,” Clarissa says. “We want to know what the veteran gives the dog.
LEFT: Spyder’s tendency to jump in laps and lick faces helped calm and center Leif Mesinger when he became frustrated.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Clarissa Black, founder and executive director of Pets for Vets, with her late dog, Bear, who sparked the idea for the not-for-profit organization.
We’re looking for that reciprocal match where both are getting exactly what they want.”
MAKING A MATCH
Once the group approves a veteran’s application for a companion animal, the search gets underway. Clarissa’s experience as a marine mammal trainer taught her the most powerful relationships happen when both parties get exactly what they need. The process isn’t about finding a good dog. It’s about finding exactly the right dog.
The matching process is not only thorough, it’s personal. Veterans work closely with trainers to identify their needs and prepare for pet ownership. “We spend a lot of time getting to know our veterans, finding out what it is they need, what they’re looking for and what would be a good fit for them,” she says.
Meanwhile, trainers visit shelters and rescue groups to conduct one-on-one “interviews” with potential animal companions, which can include cats, rabbits and other species, as well. If a veteran enjoys outdoor activities, for example, the trainer might look for a more active dog that loves to fetch and hike. On
the other hand, a more sedentary vet might need a peaceful pooch or calm cat.
From there, each animal undergoes foundation training customized for its future human. During this time, which often takes place in a foster situation, trainers enhance what Clarissa calls the animal’s “superpowers,” or the natural behaviors that made them perfect for their veteran in the first place.
“We’re really trying to make this connection where both are getting exactly what they want,” she says. “Ultimately, that connection is what’s going to fulfill them and maybe even heal them. There’s some research out there that suggests that it’s not just any dog, it’s the right dog––the dog that people feel connected to––that can help mitigate anxiety and depression.”
‘Fast Like a Rabbit’ London
man recalls gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated
Story by JEN CALHOUN
Tony Gilbert was nearly in his teens when he engaged in a small act of defiance that ended up bringing him national attention.
He was riding a Greyhound bus at the time, making his way back from his home in London to the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, where he was a boarding
student during the week. It was the late 1950s or early 1960s, and Tony, who was about 12 at the time, was clutching a permission slip in his hand.
“In order to play football in those days, you had to have both your parents sign a permission slip and agree to it,” Tony says, during a recent phone conversation
assisted by an interpreter. “Well, my dad was fine with it, but my mother wasn’t.”
MOTHER AND SON
The youngest of 19 children, Tony wasn’t just the baby of the family, he was his mother’s pride and joy. Although overprotective, Tony’s mother always wanted
Now retired, Tony Gilbert, former star football player at Kentucky School for the Deaf, enjoys building model ships like this Mississippi riverboat.
Photos courtesy of Tonya Oliver
to do what was best for her son. So, when a bout with German measles left him hard of hearing at the age of 5 or 6, she ensured his future by sending him to the Kentucky School for the Deaf.
parents would have to grant their permission before he could play. The realization deflated him. “I got really upset, because I love playing sports,” he says. “But I took it home that weekend anyway.”
MY COACH SAID I COULD RUN LIKE A RABBIT. THAT’S WHAT THEY CALLED ME.
“
—TONY GILBERT, LONDON RESIDENT FEATURED IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IN 1962
“I thank my mother for that, because now I’m able to read and write and sign,” says Tony, who is now 80 and still lives in London. “I’m fine to this day because of her.”
But her apron strings could often pull a little too tight for Tony’s liking, especially when it came to his love of sports. It all came to a head when the school’s football coach saw him running and approached him to play for the team. “He really wanted me to play, because I was very fast,” he says. “So, he gave me a permission slip.”
That’s when Tony saw both of his
Just as he predicted, his father was easy. “His attitude was, ‘Sure. If you want to play, you should play.’” But when it came time for his mother to sign, she marked the box that said no and then added her signature.
As Tony was riding back to school he decided to change his fate. He asked a nearby friend for a pencil with an eraser, then erased the check in the box marked no and changed it to yes. “My coach was thrilled,” Tony says.
ALL’S WELL
Tony played in five winning games before he let his mother in on the deception. By that time, he’d already cemented himself as a player who was so fast he could outrun nearly anyone. “My coach said I could run like a rabbit,” he says. “That’s what they called me.”
Before the sixth game, Tony asked his family to come to the school for a
football game. When his mother got there, he greeted her then went to change into his football gear.
As Tony tells it, that’s when his mother finally realized what was happening. “She was so shocked,” he says. “I played the game, and she didn’t even know I was going to play. She cried a lot, but I won that game. I won that game for her.”
In 1962, he ran a remarkable 634 yards in 62 tries and led his middle-schoolaged team, the Little Colonels, to a perfect season.
The accomplishment was so impressive that Sports Illustrated took notice in its Dec. 17, 1962, issue. In its “For the Record” section, Tony was praised for leading his team to a perfect season.
While his mother’s original copy of the magazine disappeared over time, he was able to find another copy.
ENDURING GIFTS
After graduation, Tony went on to Ohio to work in a factory for more than two decades, before launching a lawn care business. Over the years, he spent time in Florida. During one of his trips, he was talking with someone who realized who he was. “Were you in that magazine?” the man asked as his eyes lit up. “That felt really good,” Tony says with a laugh.
Today, Tony spends his time crafting intricate model boats. He finished his latest creation, a detailed Mississippi riverboat, in March after working on it for about six months.
Modern technology has helped make his life easier. Through video relay services and internet connections from PRTC, he can communicate with doctors, call emergency services and stay connected with other members of the deaf community.
He’s still grateful for the foundation his mother provided, despite her feelings about football.
“I don’t do drugs. I don’t drink. I haven’t done anything, you know, dumb, per se,” he says. “I thank my mom for that. She trained me well, and I definitely thank her for putting me into that school.”
Tony treasures mementos from his perfect football season at Kentucky School for the Deaf.
Share a Pizza Share Your Heart
Start a new holiday meal tradition
Turkey, ham, lamb—tradition gives them all a place on the holiday table. But gather the family together for a pizza party, and you can roll out a whole new tradition. Make your own pizza dough with just a handful of ingredients, and you’ll know that there are no preservatives and other unhealthy additives. For a family affair and fun for the kids, create a bar with pizza toppings—pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, cheese and the like—and let them make their own.
A preheated pizza stone will crisp the crust, but a cookie sheet also works.
A pizza salad with Italian herbs and a creamy vinaigrette dressing is the perfect pairing.
A dessert pizza with fresh berries and other fruits available year-round delivers a refreshing finish. Make the crust the day before and layer on the cream cheese spread. But wait until shortly before serving to add the fruits so they will stay colorful and fresh.
Food Editor Anne P. Braly is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
FAMILY NIGHT PIZZA
1 cup warm water (105 F)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 500 F. Put a pizza stone or cookie sheet in the oven while it preheats, and let it warm for at least 10 minutes.
MAKE THE DOUGH
In a large mixing bowl, stir water, yeast and sugar to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes or until it becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gently stir in olive oil. Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form. The
dough will still be slightly sticky. Add more flour as needed to form a dough ball.
Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to 1/2 cup extra flour if needed.
Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel, and let it rise for 10 minutes or up to 1 hour.
ASSEMBLE THE PIZZA
Roll the dough into your desired shape and put it on a piece of parchment paper. Add pizza sauce, cheese and toppings of choice. Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottom of the crust is golden brown. Remove the pizza from the oven, and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Photography by Mark Gilliland
Food Styling by Rhonda Gilliland
PIZZA NIGHT SALAD
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 medium red onion
6-8 pepperoncini peppers
Chopped tomatoes to taste
8 slices provolone cheese
1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
1 1/3 cup favorite vinaigrette
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon or more dried Italian herbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Wash and air dry the lettuce and cut or tear into bite-sized pieces. Slice the red onion and add to the lettuce, along with the pepperoncini and a little of the juice from the jar.
Toss the tomatoes over the salad. Dice the provolone cheese and add to the salad.
Sprinkle the salad with the chives.
Mix the salad dressing and the mayonnaise until creamy. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top and season the salad with the dried Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
FRUITY PIZZA
FOR THE CRUST
1 1/3 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
FOR THE FROSTING
2 7-ounce jars marshmallow creme
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
SUGGESTED TOPPINGS
Kiwi, sliced
Blueberries
Raspberries
Pears, cored and sliced
Mango, peeled and cubed
Strawberries, sliced
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, then blend this into the butter mixture. Divide the dough into two disks and lightly flatten each disk between two sheets of parchment paper. If baking one large pizza, do not divide the dough. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes.
Roll each dough half into an 11-inch round, then transfer to pizza pans. Or, press the dough into a large sheet cake pan.
Bake until the cookie dough is cooked and golden brown, but not overly crisp, 15-18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
For the frosting: In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip together the marshmallow creme and cream cheese until light in texture. Spread onto each cooled crust.
To decorate: Top the pizza with prepared sliced fruit, as desired. Slice into squares or wedges and serve.
